Movin’ on up (to the East Side)

When I moved here, the only person I knew was my husband. After all, he was the reason I came here. It took a while to make friends. Some days it felt like I would never make a friend here. It has been six years and I am blessed to say that I know some really great people here and I am honored to call them my friends.

Tonja is one of these people. I met here when I started to work at the Fire District. We became fast friends and have remained that way for almost five years. We have been to movies, cook-offs, organized discussions, parades, BBQ’s, weddings, and numerous shopping trips. You know who your true friends are when you are standing outside Fred Meyer at 4:00am the day after Thanksgiving. I can’t count how many times we escaped for an hour to enjoy a lunch away from work.

A little over a year and a half ago, Tonja met Thomas. We could see the change that Thomas made in Tonja. To this day, she giggles every time she says his name.

This past March, Thomas got his dream job in Arkansas. Now, I know what you are thinking, how can the words “dream job” and “Arkansas” be in the same sentence. See Thomas works for the National Park system and Arkansas takes him back to where his family is originally from.

We all knew it would be a matter of time, but still it came as a shock when Tonja walked in a week ago Monday and announced that she is moving to Arkansas. Not only that, but they are getting married! What???? You can’t get married without us!

Tomorrow is Tonja’s last day at work. I know that things won’t be the same once she is gone, but I have to be happy for her. After all, I came here for a boy too.  I am so excited for her and her new adventure.

I wish Tonja and Thomas the best. I know that we will keep in touch. Since Tonja’s parents are here in town, I am pretty sure that I will see her again soon.

Travel safe Tonja. Watch out for those Razorbacks. See if you can get close enough to take a picture and send it to me.